President Trump Picks Larry Kudlow for Top Economic Post

CNBC commentator Larry Kudlow tells The Associated Press in an interview that he's accepted President Donald Trump's offer to serve as White House economic adviser. Kudlow says he opposes the recent trade tariffs but is "in accord" with Trump's policies.

Kudlow says he was offered the job in a phone call Tuesday night with Trump and accepted. He notes that he's an advocate of free trade and opposes tariffs. But he says, "I'm in accord with his policies."

Kudlow is crediting Trump's handling of the economy during the president's first 14 months in office. He says, "The economy is starting to roar and we're going to get more of that."

Kudlow will replace Gary Cohn, who announced last week he would step down as director of the National Economic Council after he opposed the president's plans for new trade tariffs.

Trump told reporters on Tuesday he was "looking at Larry Kudlow very strongly."

Kudlow is CNBC's senior contributor and was previously the host of CNBC's prime-time "The Kudlow Report." He served in the Office of Management and Budget during President Ronald Reagan's administration.

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